Brisbane-based biotech company Vaxxas has appointed veteran pharmaceutical industry leader David Peacock as its new chief executive as it moves to commercialise its needle-free vaccination technology.
Mr Peacock comes to Vaxxas after more than 20 years at US pharma Merck and Co (MSD), where he advanced to become president of its Asia Pacific division in 2022, and then senior vice president global vaccines last year.
Vaxxas is progressing its revolutionary High-Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP) through regulatory approval. Founding CEO David Hoey stepped into an advisory role at the University of Queensland spinout in May last year.
“Vaxxas is at the forefront of healthcare innovation, and I’m looking forward to working with an exceptional team to reshape vaccine delivery and help to address critical gaps in vaccine access around the world,” Mr Peacock said in a post on LinkedIn.
Optus has announced the departure of its chief technology officer Tony Baird, who will be succeeded by long-serving Telstra executive Sri Amirthalingam.
Mr Baird joined Optus in January last year, having served as CTO at One New Zealand and Vodafone.
Mr Amirthalingam began his career in electrical engineering and neuroscience. He exited his role as Telstra’s executive, wireless networks in April last year after 36 years with the telco.
Market commentators have linked the brevity of Baird’s time at Optus to triple zero network outages last year. A subsequent independent investigation said the incident was the result of “very poor management and performance”.
Lisa Brock will succeed Peter James as chair of Macquarie Technology Group. Mr James has chaired the company for over 11 years and will exit alongside the announcement of its half-year results in February.
“The time is right for me to hand over leadership of the board to Lisa as the company enters its next phase of significant investment and growth,” Mr James said.
Ms Brock has been a non-executive director and a member of MTG’s board since 2022. Her background includes executive roles at Qantas, Jetstar, and WiseTech. A recent addition to the MTG board David Buckingham will take on Ms Brock’s former role as chair of its audit and risk management committee.
New South Wales Liberal MLC Jacqui Munro has been named the new shadow minister for science and technology in a reshuffle announced on Tuesday. NSW Opposition leader Kellie Sloane also added artificial intelligence and investment to the responsibilities of energy and climate change shadow James Griffin.
Senior public servant Cath Patterson has transitioned from the federal Department of Finance to a new role as associate secretary at Defence.
Ms Patterson’s departmental profile says her new role will aim to “enable more effective and efficient outcomes, particularly in the areas of enterprise transformation and prioritisation”.
Ms Patterson served as deputy secretary of Budget Group at Finance, overseeing policy and financial advice on government expenditure.
Retired RAAF Air Vice‑Marshal Steve “Zed” Roberton is Boeing’s new president Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and will also chair Boeing Australia Holdings.
Mr Roberton began consulting for Boeing Defence Australia in June last year following 26 years’ service as a fighter pilot and senior air commander in the Australian Defence Force.
Boeing Global president Brendan Nelson, announcing the appointment, said Mr Roberton was “a widely-admired leader who is committed to advancing Australia’s national security and aviation priorities”.
Lynda McAlary-Smith will succeed Bruce Billson as Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman at the end of his tenure in March. Ms McAlary-Smith is the current Victorian Small Business Commissioner.
Mr Billson welcomed the appointment, saying “I’m looking forward to supporting the transition and ensuring Australia’s small and family business community continue to have a strong and fearless ally in their corner”.
Defence announced last year it would overhaul its procurement agencies, uniting three of its largest acquisition bodies under a single agency.
This week, the department also began the search for a senior executive for its Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator.
The job ad lists the chief program officer for capability delivery role as SES band 1, tasked with leading ASCA’s Missions Program and Innovation Incubation Program.
Leadership at AgriFutures Australia has refreshed in 2026, with two new senior officials beginning their terms in January. Former NSW Labour shadow minister for primary industries Mick Veitch begins a three-year stint as chair of the federal agriculture research and development corporation on January 11. AFA’s new managing director Brianna Casey will commence the following week.
Mr Veitch succeeds LaTrobe University vice chancellor fellow Cathy McGowan. Ms Casey, previously a senior advisor at peak farming industry bodies in NSW and Queensland, follows John Harvey, who has been with AgriFutures since 2016.
Mineral engineering expert Vanessa Torres has begun her tenure as chair of the Mineral Research Institute of Western Australia.
Ms Torres is currently chief operating officer of mining and metals company South 32, and a director of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and the Minerals Council of Australia.
Workplace software developer SafetyCulture has announced its interim CTO Jeremy Ginsberg will join the company executive permanently as chief product and technology officer.
Mr Ginsberg joined SafetyCulture in October last year, having previously worked as an engineer at both Google and Twitter, before relocating to Auckland as CTO of Movac in 2021.
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